Parade

Ask Marilyn: Why Only Two Candidates at Presidential Debates?

Marilyn: With several parties now on the ticket, why do we get to see only the Republican and the Democrat debating? A candidate from a smaller party might have good ideas. Marilyn responds:

Other debates do occur. But for debates in which the President will likely take part, the smaller-party candidate must prove that he or she is drawing significant interest from potential voters first. Candidates from other parties will be invited to take part in the most important debates if their poll numbers are high enough.